june through october

Ok, so me keeping up with this blog through the summer was an epic fail.  Honestly, it wasn't just this blog.  I went on a blog hiatus for several months.  It was needed.  And now I am ready and happy to be back in blogland. 
I finally went through my receipts and updated my money notebook, so I do have some coupon/savings totals from all of these months.  I am sure I am missing some things, but that's my fault alone.  I'm going to spare the details of this past timeframe, simply share the numbers and get back to focusing on what is happening now.  Bring on the savings...

TOTAL SAVED: $65.39  

may

Another month gone by that I really haven't been as efficient with coupons as I would like to be.  However, I am getting more and more organized with it and am consistently saving money every month!
Something that I definitely want to highlight this month: in-store coupons at Fred Meyer.
They have golded colored coupons hanging all over there store, so if you shop at Freddy's, keep your eyes out for those!  With those coupons alone, I saved:
$2.00 on vegetable and flower seeds
$3.00 on Almay eyeliner
almost $9 on socks
That's almost $14.00 saved through store coupons for things on my list.  Go for the gold, shoppers!  I do have to note, however, that the normal price on the eyeliner runs about 1.50 more at Fred Meyer than at Target.  Still, it was a savings.
Moving along into more and more money saved I go...

MONEY SAVED: $28.70

another breakfast bargain

So, I got a couple Cascadian Farm Organic coupons at an event before the Portland marathon (no I did not run in the Portland marathon) and have had them for some time.  Then, one day at Fred Meyer I noticed a special 2-pack of Cascadian Farms cereal.  The normal price for these cereals is 3.69 each, I think.  If its not that, its more than that.  The 2 pack was $4.99. 

Already a great deal, but throw in the coupon and the savings are almost 50%.
PLUS, the package came with $4.00 worth of coupons for a variety of other Cascadian Farm Organic products.  Score!

TOTAL SPENT: $4.00
TOTAL SAVED: $3.38

april

This month is totally fun.  First of all, half of my savings came from clearance plus coupons on Easter candy.  (yum!).  Seriously, if you ever have coupons for candy, consider waiting until after a major holiday when candy goes on clearance and you can score some yummy treats for next to nothing.  In addition, this months savings bring the total savings this year over $100.  Woo hoo!

TOTAL SAVED: $33.20

march

So...based on the fact that I am just now getting around to adding up my March savings, don't expect much more than the numbers.  I shall write a more colorful post next month. (yes I realize I said that last month, but hey, at least I'm here) :)  I really didn't focus too much on savings in March, but still used some coupons here and there and got some great deals.  Now that tax season is over and the sun is starting to shine, I am getting more focused on pretty much everything in my life so the next few months should be better!!!!

TOTAL SAVED: $26.48

making change

Let me introduce you to my change jar.

 

My mom gave me this for Christmas after I told her about all my new money saving plans and it is awesome.  The $82 it contains today is simply the random change I have come up with since the start of the year.  As I transition into a cash anchored budget, I plan to deposit any and all change into CJ (change jar) each month.  The amount I will save via change is liable to skyrocket...exciting, right?  

More about my cash budget in future months and yes, I named my change jar.   

february

This month was a little bland in the savings department, but I honestly just didn't spend that much money.  Considering I need a little extra money in both March and April, this is a good thing.  Between a few trips to Target and Safeway and the once again successful trip to Goodwill, I was able to make use of enough coupon and store savings to justify this post...

March will be a little more exciting.

TOTAL SAVED: $13.96